Thailand agrees $1.3 billion of measures to ease impact of COVID-19 curbs

[snoop1130]

Image: Google

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand on Tuesday approved 42 billion baht ($1.29 billion) of relief measures to help ease the impact of stricter coronavirus curbs, government officials said, as the Southeast Asian country deals with its worst outbreak so far.

 

The government imposed more stringent measures on Monday in the capital and nine provinces, including limits on travel and gatherings, mall closures and a curfew.

 

It will offer 30 billion baht to affected businesses and workers in those areas, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said in a statement.

 

Workers in certain sectors will receive 5,000 baht ($153)each, while business operators will be entitled to 3,000 baht per worker for up to 200 workers, he said.

 

The government will also provide two-month utility subsidies worth 12 billion baht for businesses and households nationwide, Anucha said.

 

"Although the remedy requires a reasonable budget, it is necessary to help people get through this crisis," Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha posted on his Facebook page.

 

The finance ministry and central bank will discuss with commercial banks financial relief measures to help debtors, while the cabinet will consider additional measures to support smaller firms, Anucha said.

 

Thailand is struggling with recurring outbreaks, and the central bank on Monday warned that growth could miss its forecasts.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-07-13

 

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[ThailandRyan]

What about those that have been unemployed already and have received nothing.  How about all of the displaced migrant workers and better yet how about those that are having to pay for their own covid treatments because they are not Thai.  A stimulus should cover all of those that work in Thailand no matter their nationality when they also pay into the SS system....

[tingtong]

Wouldn't make more sense to spend that proposed 3000-5000 thb per person to actually buy some better vaccines from, Pfeizer or Moderna, for the ppl?

 

If they aren't protected, this money again just trying to fill a bottomless pit...

[webfact]

Thai Government launches financial rescue packages for “Dark Red” provinces

 

Bangkok on July 12, 2021, on the first day of stricter lockdown restrictions to try to contain the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

 

Thailand’s cabinet has rolled out financial packages to help employees and employers in nine types of business and freelancers in the 10 province most affected by the latest lockdown measures. The financial assistance will be for one month, but may be extended if the situation warrants it, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

 

In addition, small, medium and large households and businesses, especially non-profit organizations across the country will have their water and electricity fees cut for July and August.

 

The financial package will cost taxpayers about 30 billion baht for the month, while the utility rate cuts will cost another 12 billion baht over a two-month period.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-government-launches-financial-rescue-packages-for-dark-red-provinces/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-07-14

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

[NightSky]

If all major governments around the world are borrowing record breaking amounts to support the covid pandemic relief and to stimulate their economies, why has it taken this long for Thailand to follow suit? Shouldn’t it be an easy decision for Thai government to make? 
 

the poor people should be the first to receive support although as always I expect they will be last in line with maybe a handful receiving a token gesture as a bag of ramen noodles, bottled water and a blanket if lucky. 

[ThailandRyan]

7 minutes ago, NightSky said:

If all major governments around the world are borrowing record breaking amounts to support the covid pandemic relief and to stimulate their economies, why has it taken this long for Thailand to follow suit? Shouldn’t it be an easy decision for Thai government to make? 
 

the poor people should be the first to receive support although as always I expect they will be last in line with maybe a handful receiving a token gesture as a bag of ramen noodles, bottled water and a blanket if lucky. 

Can not do that or the Baht would definitely slide and erode compared to the slow decay it has seen.  Just transferred my 6 months of funs from the US and had an exchange rate of 32.63 THB to $1 USD.  So it has eroded in the past few months.

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thailand on Tuesday approved 42 billion baht ($1.29 billion) of relief measures to help ease the impact of stricter coronavirus curbs, government officials said, as the Southeast Asian country deals with its worst outbreak so far.

Just buy some bl*#dy vaccines.

[Nanaplaza666]

1 geuss at to where big chunks of that money will be going !!!!!!!! 

[AhFarangJa]

I wonder which hi so families and businesses will get the biggest share.

My Wife has tried, without success several times, and never received one baht. 

Every time she tries to register there is an excuse, one time they said her name on her id card was not spelt correctly, another time they said her id number was incorrect.  It is all just a pile of horses**t. All hype to say "We are helping everyone".

[Dont confuse me]

The help for ordinary working people should have been in place last year!

These budgets always get me thinking about the actual figure that finds its way through all the horses at the trough!

[NightSky]

10 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

Can not do that or the Baht would definitely slide and erode compared to the slow decay it has seen.  Just transferred my 6 months of funs from the US and had an exchange rate of 32.63 THB to $1 USD.  So it has eroded in the past few months.

Exactly. If the baht holds strong against foreign currencies the rich become richer. Meanwhile the poor suffer the full force of the consequences.